A Sketch by Jean-Pierre Martinez
The landlord waits behind the counter, idle. A man and a woman enter.
Her – Hi, Jack.
The landlord nods in response. They sit at a table. The landlord comes over to take their order.
Landlord – What can I get you?
Her – The usual.
Landlord – And for you?
Him – The same.
Landlord – Same as the lady or the same as your usual?
Him – Sorry?
Landlord – I don’t know what you usually have!
Him – Yet I come here every morning, like she does.
Landlord – That’s how it is. There are faces I remember, and others I prefer to forget…
Him – Let’s say the same as her, then.
Landlord – And two coffees…
The landlord walks away.
Him – Always so friendly…
Her – You have to take him as he is.
Him – What an idiot.
Her – Do you know his name, this idiot?
Him – No.
Her – Jack.
Him – You seem very familiar… with this idiot Jack.
Her – I come every day for a coffee before work…
Him – Me too… But he acts like he doesn’t know me.
Her – Are you jealous?
Him – Maybe he’s the jealous one… Do you know him that well?
Her – We’ve never really talked.
Him – How do you know his name is Jack?
Her – I don’t know… Everyone knows… Anyway, everyone calls him Jack, and he’s never complained.
A moment passes.
Him – How are you?
Her – Fine.
Him – What do you feel like doing?
Her – I don’t know…
Him – It’s a nice day… Let’s not lock ourselves in a movie theatre. Shall we take a stroll?
Her – Whatever you want.
Him – Try to contain your excitement… Is something bothering you?
Her – No… Not particularly.
Him – I don’t know… Something you want to talk to me about.
A moment passes.
Her – Okay… If something happens to me someday, I want to donate my organs.
He looks taken aback.
Him – To whom?
Her – I don’t know! To someone who needs them.
Him – Needs…?
Her – Are you doing this on purpose or what? A transplantation!
Him – Oh yes… Okay…
Her – I have my donor card with me, but just in case…
Him – Alright.
Her – I need to tell someone. Because when you’re no longer able to speak…
Him – Okay.
Her – And if I’m brain dead, I definitely don’t want to be kept alive artificially.
Him – No problem… But you know, we’re not even married yet. I’m not even sure I’d have a say. It would probably be up to your parents to make the decision.
Her – They’re dead.
Him – Oh right, I forgot… Then your siblings.
Her – I’m not on good terms with my entire family.
Him – Well… We’ll just have to get married then. So that I can have control over all your organs.
Her – Is this a marriage proposal? Because it would probably be the most original marriage proposal in history.
Him – Will you marry me?
Her – Yes… (A moment) And you?
Him – Well yes, since I just asked for your hand… Well, your hand, your heart, your lungs, your liver, and everything else…
Her – No, I mean, and you, if something happens to you. Now that I’ll have access to all your organs too.
Him – Oh yes… That’s peak romance…
Her – So?
Him – I don’t know… I haven’t really thought about it… I already don’t donate my blood… except to a few mosquitoes.
Her – You’re wrong.
Him – If, by dying, I could pass on my heart to save your life, I would probably do it. But giving my heart to a stranger… It’s true, you can always end up with an idiot. Idiots can have heart problems too. Maybe not as much as others, but they do…
The landlord arrives.
Landlord – And two coffees… (Addressing the man) Can I take the payment now?
The man takes out a few coins and places them on the table. The landlord takes them and leaves without a word.
Him – Imagine if I die and that idiot needs a transplant. Honestly, I’d be pissed off to give him my heart.
Her – It’s a risk to take.
Him – Well… If it makes you happy, I’ll get my card too…
Her – Yes, it does make me happy. And now, I feel like going for a walk in the forest with you.
Him – In the forest?
She stands up.
Her – Shall we go?
Him – Can I finish my coffee first?
Her – Alright, but hurry up.
He drinks his coffee.
Black.
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A sketch from the collection Open Hearts
Link to the collection for free download (PDF)
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https://jeanpierremartinez.net